David Malukas blames Chevrolet engine issues for runner-up finish at Milwaukee
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 2:23 AM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
David Malukas finished second in the first IndyCar race at The Milwaukee Mile after a mechanical issue hindered his car on a late restart. The Team Penske driver, who led 93 laps after an off-strategy pit call, lost the lead to Pato O’Ward with 19 laps remaining. Malukas attributed the loss to a recurring engine hesitation, describing it as a plenum event. The result marks his fourth second-place finish of the 2026 season and his sixth career runner-up result. Despite the frustration, Malukas remains fifth in the championship standings heading into the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. He currently trails Christian Lundgaard by 23 points for second place in the final season rankings.
- •David Malukas finished 1.7535 seconds behind winner Pato O’Ward at The Milwaukee Mile.
- •The Team Penske driver led 93 laps before a restart hesitation cost him the lead.
- •Malukas cited a recurring Chevrolet engine overboost issue as the cause for the restart trouble.
- •This outcome is his fourth runner-up result of the current season.
- •Malukas enters the Laguna Seca season finale sitting fifth in the championship standings.
- 2:23 AMYahoo Sports — David Malukas: “Chevy let us down” after missing maiden IndyCar win
- 2:23 AMMotorsport.com — David Malukas: “Chevy let us down” after missing maiden IndyCar win
"David Malukas blamed a Chevrolet engine issue for costing him his maiden IndyCar victory at The Milwaukee Mile after a hesitation on a late restart handed the win to Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward. Driving the #12 Team Penske Chevrolet, the 24-year-old Chicago native started third in the resumed Race 1 following a fourth-place finish in Race 2. An off-strategy pit call put Malukas into the ...Keep reading
"A dominant performance ends in frustration as the Team Penske driver settles for his sixth career runner-up finish
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 2:23 AMDavid Malukas: “Chevy let us down” after missing maiden IndyCar win
A dominant performance ends in frustration as the Team Penske driver settles for his sixth career runner-up finish
- Motorsport.comAug 31, 2026, 2:23 AMDavid Malukas: “Chevy let us down” after missing maiden IndyCar win
David Malukas blamed a Chevrolet engine issue for costing him his maiden IndyCar victory at The Milwaukee Mile after a hesitation on a late restart handed the win to Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward. Driving the #12 Team Penske Chevrolet, the 24-year-old Chicago native started third in the resumed Race 1 following a fourth-place finish in Race 2. An off-strategy pit call put Malukas into the ...Keep reading
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